Motorsport: Webber will stay, says Red Bull

Australian Mark Webber, centre of a furious 'team orders' row with his team chiefs during the British Grand Prix, will re-sign with Red Bull, the stable's owner insisted.

Webber, in a clearly faster car, decided to ignore instructions from the pit wall that he should not close in on second-placed Red Bull team-mate and championship leader Sebastian Vettel.

Vettel, struggling for competitive speed on worn tyres, came home second behind triumphant Ferrari hero Spaniard Fernando Alonso, who registered the Italian team's first win this season and set up a possible revival in fortunes.

The second placed finish helped defending champion Vettel increase his runaway lead in the title race to 80 points ahead of Webber, who is now second - but with little hope of fighting for the title if Red Bull have chosen to back Vettel against him.

Webber admitted he was furious and had not obeyed the orders as he fought to beat his team-mate, and will clearly need some convincing to stay with the team - 12 months earlier he had won at Silverstone and famously quipped "not bad for a number two driver" on his slowing down lap.

But Red Bull boss Dieter Mateschitz told autosport.com that there were absolutely no doubts that Webber would stay with the outfit next year.

"Mark Webber will re-sign with us," Mateschitz said.

"This will happen for sure. He is very popular within the team, he feels very comfortable and it is an excellent relationship. He knows this and we know it.

"To be honest, Mark has no better choice than the fastest car and we have no better choice for a fast driver."

The Red Bull boss also admitted he was fine with Webber having tried to overtake Vettel despite the order given to him.

"This is no problem for us," Mateschitz said. "Sebastian realised that Fernando Alonso was gone and could not be caught anymore, so he backed down. This let Mark close in. He would be a very bad racer had he not tried to attack and gain a position."